United Kingdom

Although for a few years we have been fruitlessly trying to renew our English contacts (which ceased due to personnel changes and a change in the concept of activities of the PercyHedley Foundation), it is worth mentioning historically the Polish-English cooperation. It lasted a dozen or so years, mainly in the 90s of the 20th century and followed the era of cooperation with the Belgians. We were looking for a partner from the English-speaking area, having been introduced to outstanding facilities in Craighalbert, Birmingham and Newcastle thanks to a volunteer, a retired head of physiotherapists from the PercyHedley Foundation in Newcastle, OliveSurtees, we began a fruitful collaboration with the English, choosing Newcastle. They were our invaluable teachers on Guided Learning, alternative communication, ergotherapy, developing thinking skills, human rights, etc.They taught us how to design without barriers, showed us what the support system for people with disabilities looks like, including work zones, rest zones, living zones, being roughly 20-30 years ahead of us in all ranges. It was there that we saw state-of-the-art equipment, soccer carts, boccia competitions, communicators, etc. Dozens of our employees learned free of charge at PHF facilities that were friendly and welcoming to us. OliveSurtees, Norman Stromsoy, Lynn Watson, AnneCoates, Stuart Evans, and others came to teach us, hospitality, mentoring, and to participate in international conferences we organized. We received their materials and publications for internal use. They shared their experiences with us, warning us against mistakes. We got to know our cultures and each other in private. We built friendships. Also the disabled youth worked together by visiting each other.